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Author
Topic: A Message from Peter Staley (Read 7259 times)

As most of you have noticed by now, I havenít been in the forums very much this summer. While I could blame the new puppy (Stella!), the more honest reason is my long-planned desire to ďlet goĒ of AIDSmeds.com and find another chapter in my life. This serves two hopefully noble purposes Ė it frees AIDSmeds from the crippling effects of ďfounderís syndromeĒ (something I proudly freed TAG from as well), and it forces me to start anew (ďchange is goodĒ).

This has been a slow but well-planned withdrawal that Tim Horn and I have worked on closely, and it started with Tim becoming president and editor-in-chief of AIDSmeds early last year. I stayed on in an advisory capacity, but have been slowly shedding various responsibilities since the transition.

One of those responsibilities has been moderating these forums. Now that Iím actively working with the same career counselor I used back in 1999 to figure out AIDSmeds.com, itís time for me to put all my energies into figuring out the next chapter in my life. With no small amount of sadness, but great pride, Iím ending my moderating duties in the forums.

That doesnít mean I wonít poke my head in here from time to time, just like any long-term member. And for at least a little while longer, youíll still see ďAdministratorĒ below my username Ė Tim and I thought it best that I keep the admin status for now in case Iím needed for any tech issues or major software upgrades.

I want to thank Tim, Ann, Andy, David, and Jan for continuing this great work. Along with our members, especially our dedicated long-termers, these remain the best forums on the Web for people living with HIV.

Peter, the generous sharing of your life, stories and information remains invaluable for me to better navigate and advocate for my life with HIV/AIDS. Your wonderful creation of AIDSmeds.com has been instrumental in my personal growth in dealing with living with HIV/AIDS and other issues.

I simply cannot state it enough that I find you and so many members of these forums truly INSPIRING!!

Having gone from lurker to a participant has translated not only here but in my community as well as I find new footing in the world.

I look forward to hearing about the 'next chapter(s)' of your life in your blog and beyond ....

Peter, As a relative new comer to this site, I can't thank you enough for starting it. It was the first source I found online when I first found out I was positive. The information and advice helped me tremendously the those first few weeks. The thing I like best is the focus it has on people living with hiv rather than a place that seems more like an online trip to doctor. Those sites have their place, but I have found more comfort and support here than any where else online. I only hope that someone will find my two cents worth while.

Thank you, Peter, for what you created. This website, and the friends I've made here, remain the primary reason why I say with no hesitation that I would not change anything I've done in my life that brought me here.

It was a pleasure to work with you when you were my guide, and first editor, for my story on AMG that was published in POZ.

Laptop computer purchased in 2006: $800.00Monthly internet access: $31.00The feeling of being published in a national magazine: PricelessWorking with an editor who han an "in": PricelessAIDSmeds.com: Incalculably Priceless!

I learnt so much through your site and felt empowered to keep going and not feel hopeless or alone.Thank you Peter for your gift. Bless you always and wishing you all the success and happiness in anything you pursue. I am very grateful.

I have shared this with you privately, but seem it is fitting in this thread. This site saved my life. I was so scared when I was diagnosed 4 years ago and stumbled on here and found a community of kind souls. I have gotten so much great advice from this forum, HIV related as well as just plain old life related. I consider many on this board to be 'friends' which I still find kind of weird because I don't even know half of their last names

Above all, I feel this site is such a class act! I joke with Ann that I have NO idea how you guys do such a good job keeping haters and spammers off her, but I have always felt safe expressing myself on this board.

I hope you continue to pop by and tell us about how you are doing with your new career, life, the puppy, etc.

I came here looking for someone else, anyone else that had been through what I had gone through. All my friends died in the early 90's, along with my partner. Sticking to the awful meds was nearly as bad as nearly losing everything just to get government assitance to stay alive. Living in a small city with limited services, I was afraid I was the "only one left" 14 years later or so, still struggling and still hanging on.

After registering, I wasn't alone anymore. Though I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I DID find other people - nioe people, great people - who understood because they had gone through the same terrible times as I had, and were still hanging on too. When my world was crashing down around my head just over a year ago, those same wonderful people from all around the globe, people who I've never yet met in person, came to my aid and donated enough money for me to pay the cremation costs when my second partner suddenly passed away.

What a wonderful resource you created with this website, Peter. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and wish you all the best in whatever you do!

In the beginning, after my diagnosis this site gave me the support I really needed to pull through. I was alone and this place helped me keep my sanity, because of what you created I pulled through a time in my life that could have very easily led me to do something I am ashamed to say I would have done. Because of the members that inhabited the site you started I was shown compassion and understanding of what I thought was the end. Everyone helped me get through the guilt of allowing myself to accept that I was responsible for my mistakes... it helped me grow as a man who loves to love again. I figured I would never have nothing to offer and now I have a beautiful baby daughter that brightens my every waking moment. Your creation and the people who inhabit it gave me the confidence to follow my dreams of having a family once again. I am married to my best friend and guess what? I can't say for sure, but i really don't think I would have stuck around for this without the support I have found here through the years.

In the early days everyone who was here saw me at my lowest. While I may never lose my opinionated ways and my stubbornness, I really do think that as a man I have become a better person.... I don't know if you understand where I am coming from, I never really have been great at putting my feeling into words. I wouldn't be here.... I wouldn't have had this chance.

Thanks, everyone! It really means a lot to me to hear how these forums have impacted so many lives.

xoxo

Peter

P.S. Creighton -- that porn thread is one sure way to get me to visit here, since I'm a dedicated subscriber to it. I fondly remember its earliest postings when there was a orgasm of exhibitionism as members posted R-rated self-portraits (I know I did at one point... god help me!).

Wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. I came to Aidsmeds.com in December of 03 but was checking out the site, since around October of 03. Found this site by doing a google search.

It was a difficult time for me healthwise, and this site has helped me out a lot throughout the years. When I felt like laying on my back and giving up, it was reading other members posts, that gave me the inititive to get moving again, and get back into the world of the living.

Thankyou for all you've done, thanks for the site, and thanks for all your activism !!

I want to wish you well in the encore of your life. This forum, which is and will be forever your brain child, is a credit to your passion for providing an outlet for those of us infected with this dreadful disease as well as up to date info on therapy, research and experiences living with this disease.

I know we had our moments ( I still believe there will someday be a cure and a vaccine) but I do understand the frustation! I still won't give in to that frustation.

I hope some day to meet you in person ( perhaps P-town when they find the cure (lol) ).

Peter, it's been an honour to work with you, and nice to get to know you.

We've had a lot of laughs over the years and shared some sad and/or frustrating times as well. I've learned a lot from you and will always be indebted to you for that as well as for starting this site. I'll miss working with you and don't be surprised if I contact you to pick your brains from time to time.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thanks much Peter for all your efforts over the years with AIDSmeds.com and for all it has meant to me in moving toward optimum health and well being. Having seen an ad in POZ magazine in my doctor's office around 2000, I finally bought a computer, logged on and a great deal happened in my life that would not have otherwise.

I have met so many wonderful people who mean a great deal to me and think of so many daily, even folks I don't see as often here anymore. The site has taught me a great deal, but not just about HIV meds but also about living my life as well as I could.

Anyway, the best of luck with your next stop on the trip of life and most certainly do pop in anytime from here on and let us know how you're going on as a poz person.

Jody

Logged

"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

A special note for Ann, Jan and Andy -- you're amazing to work with, comrades. I felt like we did some long stretches together in a foxhole, and you always had my back. (not that this analogy implies we have any enemies here, LOL.)

So to them and all those who read this thread -- KEEP THESE FORUMS STRONG!

As I read through this thread, tears kept welling up in my eyes. I know this isn't the end of the site, but your leaving is sad for me ( us), but great for you.

I've said it many times, but this site saved my sanity 9 months after diagnosis. I still say this www address should be given to everyone who tests positive IMMEDIATELY UPON GETTING THE RESULTS by whomever gives the bad news.

Thanks to you ( and all the moderators/members), I survived. I'm doing well, and am embarking on my 2nd relationship since diagnosis with yet another HIV negative guy. A long way away from all those lonely days spent crying on the living room sofa.

I wish you all the best that life and carreer has to offer , you're a great man, and deserve nothing less.

I still say you are a sexy beast....*grins*....I wish you well on your future endeavors and knows you will succeed no matter what you put your mind to. I also wish to thank you for taking a chance with me when it came to making me a AidsMed blogger. It really helped me to deal with a lot of my demons and move on with my life...

Good Luck Peter.... I have no doubt you'll find something just a meaningful and successful as Aidsmeds...regardless of what you end up doing or creating. You should be very proud of what you accomplished here ....you touched many, many lives and I'm sure your work will continue perhaps in a different direction...but no doubt just as generous of the heart Thank you for everything.... You're a decent and honorable guy and I think the world of you. Again Good Luck....and as they say, " You done good" David P